Methods and Apparatus for Multi-Stage Activation of Communication Devices

ABSTRACT

An example communication device is disclosed herein. The communication device includes a magnetic-field interface; a near-field radio frequency (RF) interface; a far-field RF interface; and a controller. The controller is configured to place the communication device in a deep sleep mode, and in response to receiving a wake-up signal at the near-field RF interface, transition the communication device from the deep sleep mode to an awake mode for a period of time. If an activation signal is received during the period of time, the controller can transition the communication device from the awake mode to a fully functional mode, and if the activation signal is not received during the period of time, the controller can transition the communication device from the awake mode to the deep sleep mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/718,999, filed on Dec. 18, 2019, and incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD

Examples disclosed herein are related to communication devices and, moreparticularly, to methods and apparatus for multi-stage activation ofcommunication devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example system including communication devicesdeployed in an example area.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example wireless communication deviceconstructed in accordance with teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a table showing example states of components of the examplewireless communication device of FIG. 2 in various example modes.

FIG. 4 is flowchart representative of an example method according toteachings of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Communication devices send and/or receive signals using one or morewireless and/or wired interfaces. Examples interfaces include radiofrequency (RF) transceivers, RF receivers, RF transmitters,magnetic-field interfaces, and wired interfaces. Some communicationdevices, such as active radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, havean internal power source (e.g., a battery) that provides power to one ormore components thereof (e.g., one or more of the interfaces. While someexamples disclosed herein refer to and are explained using active RFIDtags, teachings of this disclosure are applicable to any suitablecommunication device.

Some communication devices, such as active RFID tags, are configured toperiodically (e.g., ten times per second) transmit signals at apredetermined power level. Such periodic transmissions are sometimesreferred to as beacons. Notably, transmitting such signals consumesenergy from a power source (e.g., an internal or external battery). Theactive transmission of these signals is distinguished from a passivetransmission that utilizes externally provided energy (e.g., viabackscatter of a signal provided by, for example, an RFID reader).

In addition to transmitting signals, some RFID tags receive signals viaone or more interfaces. While some interfaces passively rely onexternally provided energy, others are active and are powered by aninternal power source. For example, a magnetic-field interface receivespower from an internal battery to enable wireless communications withanother magnetic-field interface. In some instances, the amount of powerdrawn by component(s) of such interface(s) varies according to a desiredlevel of performance and/or capability. For example, an increased amountof power drawn by a communication component may enable that component tohave a greater communication range).

When an RFID tag is transmitting and/or actively waiting (i.e., using aninternal power source) to receive a signal, a constant stream of powerto the respective components is required, resulting in a constant drawfrom the battery. Known tags having only one operational mode in whichcomponents begin draining the battery from the moment the RFID tag isactivated and do not stop until the battery dies undesirably drain powereven when the RFID tag is not being used (e.g., not attached to anobject to track).

Some known RFID tags deactivate a far-field RF interface until anactivation signal was received by a magnetic-field interface on the RFIDtag, and the activation signal causes the far-field RF interface toactivate. However, leaving the magnetic-field interface continuouslyfully active draws a significant amount of power over time. Thisconstant power draw drains the battery over time such that when thepreviously deactivated far-field RF interface is activated, the internalbattery is already at a reduced charge state (e.g., at half-life).

Examples disclosed herein recognize that battery charge states areundesirably consumed while RFID tags are not deployed. For example, RFIDtags may remain in storage before being attached to an asset fortracking purposes. If power is consumed while the RFID tag is notdeployed, the battery charge is unnecessarily reduced. It is importantto note, that for the below descriptions, the battery charge or batterylife refers to the power level of a battery if the battery is singleuse. If the battery is rechargeable, the battery charge or battery liferefers to a single charge cycle between recharges for the battery.Further, examples disclosed herein recognize that deactivated RFID tagsthat are actively listening for a signal to activate consume significantamounts of power by, for example, continuously running a magnetic-fieldinterface while the RIFD tag is not deployed.

To avoid this and to extend the power source, examples disclosed hereinprovide a multi-stage process in which the communication device isprogressed through a series of operational modes. Specifically, examplesdisclosed herein provide a deep-sleep mode, an awake mode, and a fullyfunctional mode. Each of the operational modes sets internal componentsof the communication device to a particular state. As used herein, whena component is in an off state (“off”), the component does not functionand draws no power from the battery. As used herein, when a component isin an idle state (“idle”), the component is functioning or operating ata reduced level of power consumption (e.g., drawing a reduced amount ofpower from the battery relative to full functionality). When a componentis in an on state (“on”), the component is functioning or operating at afull level of power consumption (e.g., drawing an amount of current fromthe battery associated with full functionality). Put another way, theamount of power drawn by a component in the idle state is less than theamount of power drawn by that same component in the on state. It isimportant to note, even when the RFID tag is in deep-sleep mode, thereis still self-discharge on the battery, where while the battery issitting idle, the charge state can still drop. The below disclosuredescribes a method to decrease the amount of battery loss while the RFIDtag is deactivated.

As described in detail below, example methods and apparatus disclosedherein place different interfaces of communication devices in differentstates according to received signals. In some examples disclosed herein,when the communication device is in the deep sleep mode, amagnetic-field interface is off, a near-field RF interface is idle, acontroller is idle, and a far-field RF interface is off. Notably, havingcertain components off and others idle causes the communication deviceto consume only a small amount of power. In some examples, having themagnetic-field interface off and the near-field RF interface idleenables the communication device to operate (e.g., listen for anear-field RF signal) on nanoamps of current, as opposed to requiringmicroamps with the magnetic-field interface being on.

As part of a multi-stage activation process disclosed herein, thecommunication device receives a wake-up signal via the near-field RFinterface. In response to the wake-up signal, the communication deviceenters the awake mode in which the magnetic-field interface is on, thenear-field RF interface is on, the controller is on, and the far-fieldRF interface is off. Notably, having the far-field RF interface offreduces the amount of power consumption significantly. The communicationdevice remains in the awake mode for a predetermined period of timeduring which the magnetic-field interface and the near-field RFinterface are listening for an activation signal. As a subsequent partof the multi-stage activation process disclosed herein, if thecommunication receives the activation signal while in the awake mode,the communication device enters the fully functional mode. When in thefully functional mode, the magnetic interface is on, the near-field RFinterface is on, the controller is on, and the far-field interface ison. If the communication does not receive the activation during theperiod of time corresponding to the awake mode, the communication deviceis returned to the deep sleep mode.

Accordingly, examples disclosed herein provide multiple operationalmodes in which the communication device is not in a fully functionalmode and, thus, conserve power relative to the fully functional mode.The examples disclosed herein are described below in connection with thefigures as example implementations in example environments. However,example power conserving methods and apparatus disclosed herein areapplicable in connection with any suitable device or application.

FIG. 1 depicts an example environment in which methods and apparatusdisclosed herein may be implemented. The example environment of FIG. 1includes an active area 100 and an inactive area 102. The active area100 contains deployed RFID tags 106 and RFID readers 108. The activeenvironment 100 may be a retail space, a warehouse, a grocery store, orany type of space including movable objects that an entity has aninterest in tracking via, for example, RFID technology. The deployedRFID tags 106 are attached or otherwise carried by an object to betracked via the RFID readers 108 and a processing platform incommunication with the RFID readers 108. The processing platform may useany suitable locationing technology or technique to determine locationsof the deployed RFID tags 106 and, thus, the object carrying therespective deployed RFID tags 106 as those objects move throughout theactive area 100.

The inactive area 102 contains undeployed RFID tags 104. The undeployedRFID tags 104 are not yet assigned to or carried by an object to betracked. The example inactive area 102 may be a storeroom or any otherarea where currently unused tags are being stored in anticipation offuture use within the active area 100.

The undeployed RFID tags 104 may be kept in the inactive area 102 for anextended period of time. If the undeployed RFID tags 104 were to becontinuously transmitting signals (e.g., beacons) and/or activelylistening for signals while in the inactive area 102, a battery withinthe undeployed RFID tag 104 would have an unnecessarily shortened chargeonce transferred to the active area 100. However, examples disclosedherein enable the undeployed RFID tags 104 to be stored in a deep sleepmode and to listen for a wake-up signal while consuming only, forexample, nanoamps of current.

In one embodiment, the undeployed RFID tags 104 are stored in theinactive area 102 until the undeployed RFID tags 104 are assigned andattached to an object to be tracked (i.e., deployed). Because theundeployed RFID tags 104 do not need to be transmitting or listeningwhile in the inactive area 102, the undeployed RFID tags 104 are placedin the deep sleep mode during storage. When one or more of theundeployed RFID tags 104 are selected for use in the active environment100, that tag(s) requires activation. In the illustrated example of FIG.1 , an external activator 110 sends a wake-up signal to the selectedtag(s) via a near-field RF signal. The external activator 110 is anydevice capable of sending a near-field RF signal such as, for example, ahandheld mobile computing device carried by a person. In some examples,the external activator 110 transmits a 13.56 MHz signal that is strongenough to momentarily provide energy to, for example, an NFC chip of thetag(s) via a near-field RF antenna. Alternatively, the externalactivator 110 may be a fixed device mounted to, for example, a shelf orwall. Because the example wake-up signal is a near-field RF signal inthe illustrated example, the external activator 110 and the selectedone(s) of the tags are placed within close proximity (e.g., within 2inches) to enable receipt of the wake-up signal. This preventsunselected one(s) of the tags from unintentionally receiving the wake-upsignal and remaining in the deep sleep mode.

In some examples, the wake-up signal is transmitted from the externalactivator 110 as a near-field RF signal with a range of one to two feet.This example would be advantageous for situations where the goal is toactivate, for example, a group the undeployed RFID tags 104, perhaps allin a box, before taking them to the active area 100 or before shippingthem (e.g., to a customer). In such instances, the entire box of theRFID tags are awakened without having to remove the RFID tags from thebox.

When the selected one(s) of the undeployed RFID tags 104 receives thenear-field wake-up signal, the selected one(s) of the undeployed RFIDtags 104 to transition from the deep sleep mode to an awake mode. Whilein the awake mode, the selected one(s) of the undeployed RFID tags 104is temporarily enabled to receive an activation signal, which causes theselected one(s) of the undeployed RFID tags 104 to transition from theawake mode to a fully functional mode. Once in the fully functionalmode, that tag is considered to be one of the deployed RFID tags 106 andcan be used to track an object within the active area 100.

In the illustrated example, the external activator 110 provides theactivation signal to the selected one(s) of the tags. In the illustratedexample, the activation signal is a magnetic-field signal received bythe magnetic-field interface of the tag(s). In another example, theactivation signal is a near-field RF signal. In some examples, a secondexternal activator different than the external activator 110 is used toprovide the activation signal. For example, the illustrated externalactivator 110 of FIG. 1 may be a mobile computing device with anear-field RF interface, and another (not shown) external activator is amagnetic-field wand. In another example, the external activator 110 is adevice capable of sending both a near-field RF signal and amagnetic-field signal.

In an example scenario, a person working in a warehouse enters theinactive area 102 to retrieve additional undeployed RFID tags 104 fordeployment in the active area 100 (e.g., to be attached to an objectthat will be moving about the active area 100 so that the object can betracked via the RFID readers 108). In this example scenario, the personapproaches a plurality of undeployed RFID tags 104, all currently in thedeep sleep mode. The person does not require the entire plurality ofundeployed RFID tags 104, but merely a subset of the undeployed RFIDtags 104. To preserve battery life, the plurality of undeployed RFIDtags 104 are all in deep sleep mode and only communicable via thenear-field RF interface thereof. The person approaches the subset anduses a mobile computing device with near-field RF communicationcapabilities to send a wake-up signal to each of the undeployed RFIDtags 104 within the subset. As the distance limit for near-field RFcommunication is 2-3 inches, the person needs to move the mobilecomputing device close to the undeployed RFID tags 104 selected fordeployment, which allows the person to target the subset of theundeployed RFID tags 104 and not all of the undeployed RFID tags 104.Once the person uses the mobile computing device to change the subset ofthe undeployed RFID tags 104 to the awake mode, the magnetic-fieldinterface of each RFID tag 104 in the subset is listening for furtherinstructions. A magnetic activation signal can then be sent via amagnetic-field interface to each of the subset, which changes theoperational mode of the RFID tags 104 in the subset from the awake modeto the fully functional mode. In the illustrated example, the range ofthe magnetic-field activation signal is approximately two feet, so whenworking in a storeroom of a warehouse, for example, there is a highlikelihood that the magnetic-field activation signal would reach morethan just the subset of RFID tags 104 selected for deployment. However,because the plurality of RFID tags 104 not in the selected subset didnot receive the wake-up near-field RF signal, those tags are notlistening for the magnetic-field interface activation signal due to thecorresponding magnetic-field interfaces being in the off state. It isimperative that the undeployed RFID tags 104 remain in deep sleep modebecause deep sleep mode allows the undeployed RFID tags 104 to conservebattery life to extend future deployment time. The subset of theplurality of undeployed RFID tags 104 selected for deployment thenreceive the activation signal via the magnetic-field interface andtransition from the awake mode to the fully functional mode. Theselected subset of RFID tags 104 are now ready to be associated withitems to be tracked and, thus, are then part of the deployed RFID tags106.

FIG. 2 depicts an example RFID tag 200 in which the example methods andapparatus disclosed herein may be implemented. While the example of FIG.2 is a RFID tag, example methods and apparatus disclosed herein may beimplemented in any suitable communication device. The example RFID tag200 of FIG. 2 includes a near-field RF interface 202, a near-fieldantenna 204, a controller 206, a timer 208, a voltage regulator 210, aswitch 212, a far-field RF interface 214, a magnetic-field interface216, a coil 218, a peripheral device 220, a battery 222, and a far-fieldantenna 224.

Alternative implementations of the example RFID tag 200 of FIG. 2include one or more additional or alternative elements, processes and/ordevices. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the examplecomponents of the example RFID tag 200 of FIG. 2 may be combined,divided, re-arranged or omitted. The example near-field RF interface202, the example controller 206, the example timer 208, the examplevoltage regulator 210, the example switch 212, the example far-field RFinterface 214, and the example magnetic-field interface 216 of FIG. 2are implemented by hardware, software, firmware, and/or any combinationof hardware, software and/or firmware. In some examples, at least one ofthe example near-field RF interface 202, the example controller 206, theexample timer 208, the example voltage regulator 210, the example switch212, the example far-field RF interface 214, and the examplemagnetic-field interface 216 of FIG. 2 is implemented by a logiccircuit. As used herein, the term “logic circuit” is expressly definedas a physical device including at least one hardware componentconfigured (e.g., via operation in accordance with a predeterminedconfiguration and/or via execution of stored machine-readableinstructions) to control one or more machines and/or perform operationsof one or more machines. Examples of a logic circuit include one or moreprocessors, one or more coprocessors, one or more microprocessors, oneor more controllers, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), oneor more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or morefield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more controller units(MCUs), one or more hardware accelerators, one or more special-purposecomputer chips, and one or more system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices. Someexample logic circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs, are specificallyconfigured hardware for performing operations (e.g., one or more of theoperations of FIG. 4 . Some example logic circuits are hardware thatexecutes machine-readable instructions to perform operations (e.g., oneor more of the operations of FIG. 4 ). Some example logic circuitsinclude a combination of specifically configured hardware and hardwarethat executes machine-readable instructions. The near-field RF interface202 in FIG. 2 is in communication with the near-field antenna 204. Thenear-field RF interface 202 is capable of receiving a near-field RFsignal from a near-field RF transmitting device via the near-fieldantenna 204. The near-field RF interface 202 is either a passive (i.e.,relies on an external source of energy for power) or active component(i.e., uses power from the battery 222). The near-field RF interface 202is in communication with the controller 206. In some embodiments, thenear-field RF interface 202 is configured in accordance with ISO/IEC14443. In the illustrated example, the near-filed RF interface 202 has arange of 1-2 inches. For example, the external activator 110 forexample, must be within 1-2 inches of the near-field antenna 204 tocommunicate with the near-field RF interface 202.

The controller 206 of FIG. 2 controls components of the example RFID tag200. The controller 206 is in communication with the near-field RFinterface 202 and the far-field RF interface 214 to control, among otherfunctions, the amount of power drawn from the battery 222 by thenear-field RF interface 202 and the far-field RF interface 214. In theillustrated example of FIG. 2 , the near-field RF interface 202 consumesa lesser amount of power from the battery 222 when fully functional thanthe far-field RF interface 214 when fully functional.

As described in detail below, the example RFID tag 200 of FIG. 2 isplaced in one of three operational modes and undergoes a multi-stageprocess when being transitioned from an undeployed tag to a deployedtag. In the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , the controller 206implements the multi-stage process by storing definitions of thedifferent operational modes and the corresponding states for thecomponents of the RFID tag 200. In the illustrated example, the datarepresentative of the operational modes and the corresponding states isstored in a data structure (e.g., a table) in memory accessible by thecontroller 206.

The timer 208 enables the controller 206 to place the RFID tag 200 indifferent operational modes (e.g., the awake mode) for a particularperiod of time. In the illustrated example, after receiving astart-timer signal from the controller 206, the timer 208 sends anend-timer signal to the controller 206 after a predetermined period oftime elapses from when the start-timer signal was received. In theillustrated example, the timer 208 is shown as separate from thecontroller 206. In some examples, the controller 206 internallyimplements the function of the timer 208.

The switch 212 is a physical switch or an electrical switch. In theillustrated example, the switch 212 actuates in response to receiving asignal from the controller 206. The example switch 212 of FIG. 2 isin-line with a circuit that supplies power to the magnetic-fieldinterface 216 when the switch 212 is closed. The switch 212 opens uponreceiving another signal from the controller 206 to prevent themagnetic-field interface 216 from receiving power. In some embodiments,the switch 212 is a field effect transistor switch. In some examples,this switch 212 may be shared or one or more additional switches controlwhether other components (e.g., the far-field RF interfaces 214 and/orthe peripheral 220) receives power from the battery 222. Additionally,or alternatively, the switch 212 and/or other switch(es) regulate anamount of power being delivered or drawn by one or more of thecomponents.

The magnetic-field interface 216 communicates with external magneticinterfaces via the coil 218. The coil 218 receives signals from externaldevices in the form of changes in magnetic fields. The coil 218 providesreceived signals to the magnetic-field interface 216. In the illustratedexample, the magnetic-field interface 216 is only operational (i.e.,receiving power from the battery 222) when the switch 212 is in theclosed position (e.g., as controlled by the controller 206). In theillustrated example, the coil 218 is resonant at 125 kHz.

The example peripheral device 220 of FIG. 2 is a sensor, anaccelerometer, a temperature sensor, or an equivalent type of sensorthat is known to be used in association with an RFID tag. The peripheraldevice 220 is in-line with the switch 212 and, therefore, power isavailable to the peripheral device 220 according to a state of theswitch 212. In the illustrated example, the peripheral device 220 is offin the deep sleep mode and the peripheral device 220 is on in the awakemode and fully functional mode. In some examples, the RFID tag 200includes a plurality of peripheral devices 220. In the illustratedembodiment, the peripheral device 220 shares the switch 212 with themagnetic-field interface 216 and is therefore on when the magnetic-fieldinterface 216 is on.

The example far-field RF interface 214 of FIG. 2 utilizes the far-fieldantenna 224 to send and/or receive RF signals such as, for example,bursts of ultra-wide band signals. The example far-field RF interface214 of FIG. 2 transmits signals according to instructions received fromthe controller 206. In some embodiments, the far-field RF interface 214receives far-field RF signals from external devices and sends thereceived signals to the controller 206. In some embodiments, thefar-field RF interface 214 receives power from the battery 222 via thevoltage regulator 210. The voltage regulator 210 is operable to regulatecurrent received from the battery 222 to allow the far-field RFinterface to have a steady current during operation. In someembodiments, the far-field antenna 224 is a 6.5 GHz antenna.

In some embodiments, the battery 222 provides power to the near-field RFinterface 202. In the depicted embodiment, the near-field RF interface202 does not draw a current unless the near-field RF interface 202receives a signal. In the depicted embodiment, when the near-field RFinterface 202 receives a signal, the near-field RF interface 202 thendraws 240 microamps. In the depicted embodiment, the far-field RFinterface 214 draws 1.5 milliamps of current when a message is beingtransmitted, however when no message is being transmitted, the far-fieldRF interface 214 draws no current.

FIG. 3 depicts an example set of operational modes and correspondingstates to implement the multi-stage activation process disclosed herein.The example of FIG. 3 includes three operational modes for the exampleRFID tag 200 of FIG. 2 . The three operational modes allow the RFID tag200 to draw a lesser amount of charge from the battery 222 whileundeployed, which extends the charge of the battery 222. The exampleoperational modes of FIG. 3 are referred to as “operational” because ineach one of the modes at least one component is at least partiallyoperational.

As depicted in the table of FIG. 3 , when the RFID tag 200 is in thedeep sleep mode, the least amount of total power is drawn from thebattery 222 relative to the other operational modes. In someembodiments, the RFID tag 200 is set in the deep sleep mode immediatelyfollowing manufacture. When in the deep sleep mode, the magnetic-fieldinterface 216 is off, the near-field RF interface 202 is idle, thecontroller 206 is idle, and the far-field RF interface 214 is off. Whenin the deep sleep mode, the idle near-field RF interface 202 and theidle controller 206 are drawing a lesser amount of power from thebattery 222 compared to the same components when in the on state. In oneembodiment, the idle near-field RF interface 202 is drawing no power asa passive near-field RF interface and will wait for a near-field signalof 13.56 MHz to energize the antenna and pass a signal to themicrocontroller 206.

The controller 206 transitions the RFID tag 200 from the deep sleep modeto the awake mode after receiving the wake-up signal via the near-fieldRF interface 202. In the awake mode, the magnetic-field interface 216 ison, the near-field RF interface 202 is on, the controller 206 is on, andthe far-field RF interface 214 is off. To begin the period of time thatthe RFID tag 200 is able to transition to the fully functional mode, thecontroller 206 sets a timer to initiate the period of time during whichthe RFID tag 200 is placed in the awake mode. Additionally, thecontroller 206 sends a signal to actuate the switch 212, therebysupplying power from the battery 222 to the magnetic-field interface216. While the illustrated example of FIG. 3 includes the magnetic-fieldinterface 216 and the near-field RF interface 202 both drawing powerfrom the battery 222 when in the awake mode, some alternative examplesinclude only one of the magnetic-field interface 216 and the near-fieldRF interface 216 being on in the awake mode.

In the example of FIG. 3 , when the RFID tag 200 is in the awake mode,the near-field RF interface 202 and the magnetic interface 216 are bothsimultaneously drawing power to listen for possible communicationsignals. In some embodiments, the far-field RF interface 214 is on whenthe RFID tag 200 is in awake mode. In some embodiments, when in theawake mode and the fully-functional mode, the near-field RF interface202 draws 240 microamps and the magnetic-field interface 216 draws 12microamps. In the illustrated example, when in the period of timeimplemented by the timer ends, if neither the near-field RF interface202 nor the magnetic-field interface 216 received an activation signal(e.g., from the external activator 110 or another device), thecontroller 206 de-actuates the switch 212, thereby disconnecting themagnetic-field interface 216 from the battery 222. In doing so, thecontroller 206 transitions the RFID tag 200 from the awake mode to thedeep sleep mode.

On the other hand, if the RFID tag 200 receives an activation signalwhile in the awake mode (via either the magnetic interface 216 or thenear-field RF interface 202), the controller 206 transitions the RFIDtag 200 from the awake mode to the fully functional mode. In someembodiments, the RFID tag 200 remains in the fully functional mode forthe rest of the life of the battery 222. Alternatively, the controller206 transitions the RFID tag 200 from the fully functional mode to thedeep sleep mode in response to, for example, a deactivation signal. Insome embodiments, the deactivation signal is received by either thenear-field RF interface 202, the magnetic interface 216, or thefar-field RF interface 214.

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 3 , when the tag 200 is in the fullyfunctional mode, the magnetic interface 216 is on, the near-field RFinterface 202 is on, the controller 206 is on, and the far-field RFinterface 214 is on. When in the fully functional mode, the RFID tag 200is fully operational and transmitting signals (e.g., beacons) as afar-field RF tag. The signals transmitted by the far-field RF antenna224 via the far-field interface 214 are readable by, for example, theRFID readers 108 of FIG. 1 and able to be processed to locate the RFIDtag 200. When on, the far-field RF interface 214 draws the most powerfrom the battery 222 compared to the near-field RF interface 202 (whenon) and the magnetic-field interface 216 (when on). In the illustratedembodiment, the far-field RF interface 214 draws about 1.5 milliampswhen fully functional.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representative of example operations forimplementing the example RFID tag 200 of FIG. 2 . Alternative exampleimplementations of the operations of FIG. 4 include one or moreadditional or alternative operations. Additionally, or alternatively,one or more of the operations of the example flowchart of FIG. 4 may becombined, divided, re-arranged or omitted. In some examples, theoperations of FIG. 4 are implemented by machine-readable instructions(e.g., software and/or firmware) stored on a medium (e.g., a tangiblemachine-readable medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits(e.g., processor(s)). In some examples, the operations of FIG. 4 areimplemented by one or more configurations of one or more specificallydesigned logic circuits (e.g., ASIC(s)). In some examples the operationsof FIG. 4 are implemented by a combination of specifically designedlogic circuit(s) and machine-readable instructions stored on a medium(e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by logiccircuit(s).

As used herein, each of the terms “tangible machine-readable medium,”“non-transitory machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storagedevice” is expressly defined as a storage medium (e.g., a platter of ahard disk drive, a digital versatile disc, a compact disc, flash memory,read-only memory, random-access memory, etc.) on which machine-readableinstructions (e.g., program code in the form of, for example, softwareand/or firmware) can be stored. Further, as used herein, each of theterms “tangible machine-readable medium,” “non-transitorymachine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage device” isexpressly defined to exclude propagating signals. That is, as used inany claim of this patent, a “tangible machine-readable medium” cannot beread to be implemented by a propagating signal. Further, as used in anyclaim of this patent, a “non-transitory machine-readable medium” cannotbe read to be implemented by a propagating signal. Further, as used inany claim of this patent, a “machine-readable storage device” cannot beread to be implemented by a propagating signal.

As used herein, each of the terms “tangible machine-readable medium,”“non-transitory machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storagedevice” is expressly defined as a storage medium on whichmachine-readable instructions are stored for any suitable duration oftime (e.g., permanently, for an extended period of time (e.g., while aprogram associated with the machine-readable instructions is executing),and/or a short period of time (e.g., while the machine-readableinstructions are cached and/or during a buffering process)).

Initially, the RFID tag 200 is placed in the deep sleep mode (block400). As described above, when the RFID tag 200 is manufactured, it maybe set in the deep sleep mode to minimize or at least reduce the amountof power consumed from the battery 222 while the RFID tag 200 is notdeployed and, thus, not in need of amounts of power associated withfunctionality (e.g., transmission of signals at readable ranges). In thecontext of FIG. 1 , the RFID tag 200 may remain in the deep sleep modewhile stored in the inactive area 102. If the RFID tag 200 is sent amagnetic activation signal while in the deep sleep mode, the RFID tag200 would not react as when the RFID tag 200 is in deep sleep mode, themagnetic interface 216 is off and not receiving signals.

In the example of FIG. 4 , the RFID tag 200 is listening for a wake-upRF signal via the near-field RF interface 202, which is idle in the deepsleep mode (block 402). Such a signal is sent by, for example, a personwanting to deploy certain one(s) of the undeployed tags 104 of FIG. 1using the external activator 110.

If the wake-up signal is received, the controller 206 transitions theRFID tag 200 from the deep sleep mode to the awake mode (block 404).Otherwise the RFID tag remains in the deep sleep mode (block 402).

While in the awake mode, the RFID tag 200 waits for an activation signalvia the magnetic-field interface 216 and/or the near-field RF interface202 (block 406). If the activation signal is received within the periodof time implemented by the timer 208, the controller 206 transitions theRFID tag 200 from the awake mode to the fully functional mode (block410). To continue the above example scenario, the person wanting todeploy certain one(s) of the RFID tags uses the external activator 110or any other suitable communication device to send a magnetic-fieldsignal that includes the activation signal when in the inactive area202. If the period of time implemented by the timer 208 expires prior toan activation signal being received, the RFID tag 200 reverts back tothe deep sleep mode (block 400). If an activation signal is sent to theRFID tag 200 after the timer 208 expires and the RFID tag 200 revertsback to deep sleep mode, then there is no change in state for the RFIDtag 200. One scenario this allows for are situations where the useraccidently sends a wake-up signal to the RFID tag 200. In this case, theRFID tag 200 would temporarily be in the awake mode awaiting anactivation signal, and then not receive an activation signal, causingthe RFID tag 200 to revert back to the deep sleep mode to conservebattery charge.

While in the fully functional mode, the RFID tag 200 is completelyfunctional. The controller 206 enables the battery 222 to provide powerto the far-field RF interface 214. The far-field RF interface 214, whilein the fully functional mode, beacons out far-field RF signals (e.g.,UWB signal) during normal operation that enable the RFID tag 200 to belocated by a system including, for example, the RFID readers 108.

In the example of FIG. 4 , the RFID tag 200 is deactivated by, forexample, the battery 222 running out of life. Alternatively, the RFIDtag 200 can be placed back in the deep sleep mode by a deactivationsignal received by the RFID tag 200. The deactivation signal may bereceived via the near-field RF interface 202, far-field RF interface214, or by magnetic-field interface 216. When the RFID tag 200 revertsback to the deep sleep mode, the states of the components within theRFID tag 200 all revert back to the deep sleep mode as discussed above.

Although certain example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all apparatus,methods, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

That which is claimed:
 1. A communication device comprising: amagnetic-field interface; a near-field radio frequency (RF) interface; afar-field RF interface; and a controller, wherein the controller isconfigured to: place the communication device in a deep sleep mode inwhich the magnetic-field interface is in an off state, the near field RFinterface is in an idle state, and the far-field RF interface is in theoff state; in response to receiving a wake-up signal at the near-fieldRF interface, transition the communication device from the deep sleepmode to an awake mode for a period of time in which the magnetic-fieldinterface is in the on state, the near-field RF interface is in the onstate, and the far-field RF interface is in the off state; if anactivation signal is received during the period of time, transition thecommunication device from the awake mode to a fully functional mode inwhich the magnetic-field interface, the near-field RF interface, and thefar-field RF interface are each in the on state; if the activationsignal is not received during the period of time, transition thecommunication device from the awake mode to the deep sleep mode.
 2. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the near-field RF interface hasan effective range of approximately two inches.
 3. The communicationdevice of claim 1, wherein the magnetic-field interface has an effectiverange of approximately two feet.
 4. The communication device of claim 1,further comprising a switch to be actuated to place the communicationdevice in the awake mode.
 5. The communication device of claim 1,further a peripheral device, wherein the controller is configured to:place the peripheral device in the off state in the deep sleep mode andthe awake mode; and place the peripheral device in the on state in thefully functional mode.
 6. The communication device of claim 5, whereinthe peripheral device is an accelerometer.
 7. The communication deviceof claim 1, further comprising a timer to enforce the period of time. 8.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the communication devicecomprises a radio frequency identification tag.
 9. The communicationdevice of claim 1, further comprising a battery.
 10. The communicationdevice of claim 9, wherein the communication device consumes a firstamount of power from the battery in the deep sleep mode.
 11. Thecommunication device of claim 10, wherein the communication deviceconsumes a second amount of power in the awake mode, and the secondamount of power is greater than the first amount of power;
 12. Thecommunication device of claim 11, wherein the communication deviceconsumes a third amount of power in the fully functional mode, and thethird amount of power is equal or greater than the second amount ofpower.
 13. An apparatus comprising: a battery; a first communicationinterface having a first effective communication range; a secondcommunication interface having a second effective communication rangegreater than the first effective communication range; a thirdcommunication interface having a third effective communication rangegreater than the second effective communication range; a controllerconfigured to: place the apparatus in a first operational mode in whichthe first communication interface is idle, the second communicationinterface is off, and the third communication interface is off; placethe apparatus in a second operational mode in which the firstcommunication interface is on, the second communication interface is on,and the third communication interface is off; and if an activationsignal is received while in the second operational mode, place theapparatus in a third operational mode in which the first, second andthird communication interfaces are on.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the controller is configured to place the apparatus in thesecond operational mode in response to receiving a wake-up signal. 15.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the wake-up signal is a near-fieldcommunication signal.